Daniel Posluzsny was sworn in Monday as the sixth chief of polic in the Lawrence Township Police Department’s 78-year history.
By: Lea Kahn
Daniel Posluszny was sworn into office Monday afternoon as the sixth chief of police in the Lawrence Township Police Department’s 78-year history.
Chief Posluszny, a lifelong township resident and 17-year veteran of the police department, replaces former Chief of Police John Prettyman, who has retired.
More than 300 people including family, friends and representatives of neighboring police departments and state and federal law enforcement agencies crowded into the courtroom at the new Police and Municipal Court building for the ceremony.
The audience filed into the courtroom, past 39 police officers who lined the hallway. They filled all of the benches in the courtroom. Those who could not find seats stood against the walls.
Chief Posluszny was escorted into the courtroom by police lieutenants Mark Boyd, William Nestor and Mark Ubry. He took his place near the podium, seated next to former chiefs of police Nicholas Loveless and John Prettyman. Former chief of police William Seabridge was seated in the audience.
Captain Joseph Prettyman introduced the mayor and Township Council, and also acknowledged the presence of the three former chiefs of police.
Captain Prettyman welcomed Chief Posluszny as the new chief, and pledged that the officers would follow the new police chief’s directives. The police department is ready for a new era in leadership, Captain Prettyman said.
Before the new chief was sworn into office, Chief Prettyman presented Captain Posluszny with the Police Chief’s Achievement Award. It was his last official act as chief of police.
"This is an award that Dan can’t give to himself," Chief Prettyman said. The award is reserved for a police department employee who has demonstrated loyalty and unquestioned dedication to the citizens, he added.
Mayor Doris Weisberg, who would have sworn in the new police chief, told the audience that she was stepping aside to allow Councilman Greg Puliti to swear in his lifelong friend.
With his wife, Jill, and daughters Hannah and Samantha holding the Bible, Chief Posluszny was sworn into office by Councilman Puliti. The audience rose spontaneously as Chief Posluszny stood to take the oath of office.
In his remarks, Chief Posluszny compared the police department to a team. Everyone has a role, and the key ingredient to having a successful team is for each player to know and accept his or her role in helping the team reach its goal, he said.
"Our goal is the community and its welfare," Chief Posluszny said. "Addressing crime and quality of life issues is our field. We as a team are ready to make the run and become winners."
Chief Posluszny said he has been asked many times about possible changes in the police department. He said he defines change as a byproduct of identifying a problem, taking an analytical approach to solving the problem and having the will to get the job done.
"Our mission will be to change problems into solutions which affect our community," he said. "It will be the goal of our team to manage each issue that comes before us in a manner that is efficient, expedient and lasting. … We, as a team, have a big game each day of our careers in which we must be prepared. I want to assure everyone that we are prepared."